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Former President Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on municipal governance, with Boston becoming the third such city to face such warnings from the US president. Moreover, Trump indicated he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential safety issues.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Even though Trump holds no official jurisdiction to personally cancel either tournament, he is able to lobby the international organizations overseeing each competition to move host cities.

Setting for Statements

His remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the South American country. Toward the close of the gathering, a media member inquired Trump about a recent public disturbance in downtown Boston where authorities were attacked and a cruiser was ignited. The correspondent also wondered if such events could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“I would take them away,” he stated about the World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is poor … she is radical left, and they are taking over parts of Boston. That’s a pretty big assertion, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a digitally organized trend where large crowds assemble on city streets during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have been a ongoing issue in US urban areas since the coronavirus closures. Latest similar events have turned violent in Massachusetts, including the city. However, these events are typically not seen as tied to any distinct partisan agenda.

“If a mayor is performing poorly, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and say let’s move it to another location,” the former president commented on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he'd agree. Readily, he would.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has made no secret his strategies to be visibly associated with the former president prior to next year’s tournament, planned to be staged in numerous American venues across the America along with two in the northern neighbor and multiple in Mexico. The organization's leader has appeared at several Oval Office functions, arranged for Trump hand over the Club World Cup award after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the cancellation of soccer matches from other US host cities. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco were parallel comments, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “governed by far-left extremists who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the safety level of both areas and implying that events could be removed.

Organizational Statement

Victor Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he responded afterward at a conference in the UK capital.

“It is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines those decisions,” the vice-president stated. “With all due respect to national heads, the sport is transcends any individual and soccer will outlast their administration and their leadership. That’s the essence of this sport, that it is transcends one leader and bigger than individual states.”

2028 Comments

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston included a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I thought the city was not prepared properly, I will relocate it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “On that one I might have to secure a varying approval, but we would take that action.”

The permission Trump refers to would must come via the Olympic governing body. The president, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her position in March and has yet to appear together with the former president, but she stated that she hopes for a sit-down with the US figure at a future time.

Additional Criticism

Trump also condemned Gavin Newsom’s handling of the blazes, remarking that a comparable scenario could lead to the cancellation of the Games.

“If he is uncooperative, we will have to be very tough,” Trump commented.

The warning was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city should improve their situation,” he said. “That is my message.”